Harry Potter Readalong, Order of the Phoenix III: "*are you quite sure you wouldn't like a cough drop, Dolores*?"

I'm basically furious with myself for not having done any of the reading this week, because as I skim it, I see that all the best parts of the book are pretty much in this particular section. Good job, me.

First of all, does anyone remember when this book was coming out? J.K. Rowling let loose a rumor. The rumor was that someone important would die. This turned out to be THE MEANEST THING EVER because there are about three times you think someone's going to die before someone actually does.

Time number one — I think — is here with Arthur Weasley. 'THIS IS IT' I thought as I read it the first time. 'NO NOT ARTHUR WHAT WILL MOLLY DO NOOOOOO.' But then it was okay. The second one was much, much worse, but we haven't gotten there yet.

"I forgot," he said.
"Lucky you," said Ginny coolly.

Just to remind everyone AGAIN that Ginny is a badass and let's all appreciate the shit out of her during this readalong. I don't even want her to end up with Harry anymore. He doesn't deserve her. Let Ginny go off on her own and found some kickass wizard detective agency and someday she'll run up against a Moriarty type, only then they'll fall in LOVE and end up getting married and having wizard ninja babies. Yes, that.

The scene at St. Mungo's in the closed ward is another in my 'Most Memorable' category. This is another reason I love book 5 so much. MOST of the scenes that have stuck with me are from it. But the Longbottoms....oh, just.. just Neville and his parents and their backstory and what he's gone through and the effects of what Voldemort's done and it becomes so REAL and I love J.K. Rowling to tiny bits I really do.

But as they left, Harry was sure he saw Neville slip the wrapper into his pocket.

AHHHHHHH. Nope. But immediately followed by one of my favorite lines in the whole series:

"Look, I didn't learn joined-up writing for nothing, you know!"

Gilderoy, I love you so.

An unkempt Rita Skeeter, who informs H/R/Hr that the Ministry is putting pressure on the press, which — HI young adult series, more lessons like this please. And Dumbledore refusing to be arrested. Sigh. This was basically the greatest of all sections. Ending with not only another McGonagall/Umbridge standoff, but the Weasleys' exit, which is one of the best parts of the entire series. My. Gosh.